Two UNCA Faculty Members Named Feldman Professors

Two UNC Asheville faculty were recently named the Ruth and Leon Feldman Professors for 2003-2004, an honor awarded by their peers for outstanding scholarship and service. Patricia Snoyer, associate professor of drama, and Joseph Sulock, professor of economics, received the professorships.

Though noted for her achievements in the classroom and in creative and professional activity, Snoyer has excelled in service to the campus, community, regional and national organizations. Her extensive service to campus has included serving on 27 different committees, including Tenure and Promotion, Senate and Foundation Board. Snoyer has also served on some 42 different presentations and professional consultancies, including national board memberships, being a national judge and respondent for professional activities and presenting at national, regional and state conferences.

Snoyer, who joined the UNCA faculty in 1988, served as chair of the Drama Department from 1989-1998 and continues to stand out as a professor. One colleagues noted, "She encourages active learning and her discussions revolve around drama, art, history, music and education." Aside from her regular courses in drama, education and the Arts and Ideas Program, Snoyer also lead the UNCA Teaching Fellows Program’s Cambridge Experience in Europe for two summers.

Snoyer brings her love for theater to actors and audiences both on and off campus. She has directed some 20 shows at UNCA and helped found and serves as artistic director for the esteemed Asheville Theater for Young Audiences (previously the Tanglewood Summer Studio) at UNCA. One of her recent contributions was involvement in the production "And Then They Came for Me." Snoyer played an integral role in bringing the author of the play, a holocaust survivor, to Asheville to met with the audience. The play and the author then traveled to local schools.

Snoyer, a talented actress and singer in her own right, expertly performs in campus and community productions. The Feldman Awards Committee noted that Snoyer "continues to delight and intrigue audiences with her own performances, to inspire her casts and crews to new heights and to develop interesting and thought provoking productions for the campus, the school systems and the greater community."

Sulock was recognized for his scholarly achievements, innovative and long-term service to the campus and close work with students. In a nomination letter, one colleague wrote, "Joe’s entire career has been characterized by a clear-headed understanding of the learning process; scholarly publication that pays off in the classroom; service that builds upon his professional competencies and involves students; and an utterly consistent and impressively abundant effort in all three. His sustained productivity over the three dimensions of responsibility of the university professor is exemplary."

For 19 consecutive years, Sulock has coordinated the annual Economics and Investment Outlook Conference, also known as the Economic Crystal Ball. Some 150-200 students and community members attend each year. The conference provides an excellent opportunity for students to learn the practical application of economics, while community members gain valuable investment insights from respected business leaders.

In 1998, he established the annual International Forum, which attracts more than 100 attendees. Each year, four UNCA international students from four different continents present an exhibit and short talk on his or her country. The forum has become a popular campus event, which promotes cultural diversity and out of the classroom learning.

Sulock is constantly working to improve the chance of success for UNCA’s economics students. He created and manages an economics scholarship fund, which grants several thousand dollars annually in scholarships and academic awards. He also regularly teaches an unpaid one-credit "Stats Proof" class to students bound for graduate school. Moreover, he maintains close ties to the economics graduate program at UNC Greensboro, where many UNCA graduates pursue graduate work.

Sulock, who joined the UNCA faculty in 1976, is the author with John Dunkelberg of "Cases in Financial Management," a widely respected economics textbook with accompanying software now in its second edition. He is also wrapping a text on "Sports for Thinkers."

Media Contacts:

• Cynthia Ho, Feldman Awards Committee Chair, 828/251-6582
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526